In a move reflective of broader trends within the tech sector, popular short-form video platform TikTok has reportedly initiated a round of layoffs, targeting approximately 60 employees predominantly within its sales and advertising division.
The affected staff hail from various TikTok offices across the United States, including Los Angeles, New York, and Austin, as well as international locations.
A spokesperson for the company cited a routine reorganization as the official reason behind the layoffs, although insiders suggest that cost-cutting measures played a significant role in the decision.
TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, has been no stranger to workforce adjustments, having allegedly implemented substantial layoffs at Marvel Snap developer Nuverse in the preceding year.
Reports indicated that TikTok itself underwent personnel reductions in mid-2022 as part of global restructuring efforts and again in early 2023, specifically targeting its recruitment staff in Dublin.
While the latest round of layoffs constitutes only a small fraction of ByteDance's extensive global workforce, numbering around 150,000, industry observers consider it a notable indicator of challenges facing the tech sector.
Google, a tech giant, has also signaled a similar trajectory, with CEO Sundar Pichai advising employees to brace for downsizing throughout the year. Pichai emphasised the company's commitment to streamlining operations, stating that Google is "removing layers to simplify execution and drive velocity in some areas."
In a parallel development, Amazon, another industry heavyweight, recently disclosed plans to let go of approximately five percent of its staff in the Buy with Prime division. The move aligns with a broader corporate strategy aimed at optimizing resources and enhancing efficiency.
The repercussions of these industry-wide workforce adjustments have rippled through various subsidiaries, including Twitch, a video-streaming platform owned by Amazon. Earlier this year, Twitch underwent a more extensive round of layoffs, affecting over 500 employees, as the company sought to streamline operations and bolster its overall business efficiency.
